Singapore International Water Week To Showcase Smart Water Technologies

PUB to achieve greater efficiency in water resource planning and operations by integrating the use of smart water technologies in Singapore’s water management

The Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) recently shared its plans to focus on the growing smart water technologies market at the upcoming SIWW 2016. PUB, Singapore’s national water agency, will take the lead by showcasing an array of innovative technologies at the new Smart Water Solutions Pavilion.

According to a McKinsey Global Institute report, IoT (Internet of Things) technology has emerged rapidly in recent years as a dynamic, data-driven platform for the efficient management of urban infrastructure and critical urban resources including water systems. The same report highlighted that by 2025, an estimated 80 percent of utilities in advanced-economy cities and 50 percent of utilities in developing-economy cities will have adopted smart water systems, creating a potential value of US$14B to US$25B in 2025^[1]. With the use of sensors to monitor performance, quality and consumption across complex networks, operators of water systems can efficiently detect flaws such as leaks in water mains, prevent costly failures and reduce losses, as well as reduce response time.

“In tandem with the advent of smart technologies, global utilities are also increasingly leveraging smart water technologies to better manage their network performance and improve customer service. We noticed this recurring theme at the 2015 SIWW Technology & Innovation Summit. Leading edge innovation is a key part of SIWW, and hence, this year’s SIWW will focus on the use of these technologies for enhancing planning and operations in water management,” said Mr Bernard Tan, Managing Director of SIWW.

PUB adopts smart water technologies in various aspects of Singapore’s water management to achieve greater efficiency and improvements in planning, operations and service delivery. These next-generation technologies range from the use of image analytics for earth control monitoring at construction sites to a smart water assessment network for continuous real-time water quality monitoring.

Mr Tan Nguan Sen, Chief Sustainability Officer at PUB, said, “Constant innovation is at the core of ensuring the sustainability of Singapore’s water supply for future generations, particularly as challenges of urbanisation and climate change become increasingly complex. The integration of smart technologies across Singapore’s water loop represents our vision for the future of water management – one that is driven by innovation and informed by data for better decisions.”

PUB will feature the following technologies at the Smart Water Solutions Pavilion:

• Image Analytics for Clean and Free-Flowing Waterways
• Development of New Smart Water Assessment Network
• Smart Water Grid: Island-wide Sensor Deployment in the Water Supply Network
• Automated Meter Reading (AMR) System
• Inspection of the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)

Complementing the Pavilion is the inaugural Smart Water Forum. Themed “Managing Our Water Loop Intelligently”, the Forum features case studies by global water technology adopters and service providers on their respective implementations of smart water technologies within the water loop to enhance water resource management.

In addition, this year’s SIWW will include the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System (DTSS) Phase 2 and Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF) Pavilion and Forum, featuring the co-location of Tuas Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) and IWMF. This is the first of its kind in the world planned from the ground-up. SIWW will also provide the platform for job-seekers to join the vibrant water industry with its first ever Careers@SIWW, featuring close to 20 companies who will share on the job opportunities in the Singapore water sector.

Mr Bernard Tan concluded, “As SIWW continues to grow, our vision is to be the driver for innovation for the whole water value chain, ranging from industry leaders and stalwarts to emerging start-ups and young water leaders, to gather on a single platform to share insights, best practices and access cutting-edge technologies. Our value proposition to the industry is this: Come to SIWW if you want to meet the best minds in the industry, strong networks and good business opportunities.”

The Smart Water Forum will be held on Tuesday, 12 July 2016, from 2.00pm – 5.30pm at Expo Hall F, Basement 2 of the Sands Expo & Convention Center at Marina Bay Sands. The Smart Water Solutions Pavilion will be located on Level 1, in the Exhibition Hall from 11-13 July 2016.

^[1] The Internet of Things: Mapping the Value Beyond the Hype, McKinsey Global Institute, 2015